Tax Rules and Compliance

If you’ve ever opened a bank account overseas and been hit with a million questions about your U.S. citizenship, you’ve met FATCA—whether you knew it or not. Short for the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, FATCA was born in 2010 when the U.S. government decided it really, really didn’t want to miss out on taxes […]

Here’s a fun fact no one tells you before moving abroad: you might end up paying into two social security systems at once—your host country and the U.S. Talk about double the paperwork, none of the fun. That’s where totalization agreements (a.k.a. international Social Security agreements) come in. These bilateral deals coordinate the U.S. system […]

Leaving the country? The Internal Revenue Service hopes you’re enjoying the view—because they’re coming with you. As far as the U.S. tax code is concerned, moving abroad doesn’t mean you’ve escaped your obligations. In fact, it may mean you’ve got more to keep track of. Citizenship, not location, is what ties you to the U.S. […]

Living abroad may change your view, your routine, and your favorite snacks—but not your tax obligations. As long as you’re a U.S. citizen or green card holder, the IRS still expects you to file—no matter where in the world you live or work. That includes digital nomads, retirees, self-employed entrepreneurs, and remote employees. The problem? […]

Just found out about PFICs and feeling a little panicked? You’re not alone. Many U.S. expats with foreign investments don’t realize they own a Passive Foreign Investment Company until they’re knee-deep in tax forms—or worse, facing unexpected tax bills. The IRS classifies many foreign mutual funds, ETFs, and investment funds as PFICs, and unfortunately, they come with some of the most […]

The US has tax treaties with dozens of different countries. If you live in one of those countries, it may be worth claiming the tax treaty’s benefits. Keep in mind, though, that each tax treaty is slightly different. As you can imagine, some US tax treaties are more advantageous than others. Below, we’ll give a […]

Did you know you and your dependents can expand your knowledge and gain job skills while reducing your tax bill? The IRS offers a couple of different continuing education tax benefits, which can help offset higher education expenses by decreasing your tax burden. In many cases, even Americans attending an educational institution abroad are eligible […]

These 11 strategies can help you legally minimize your US tax liability, take advantage of foreign tax credits, and make the most of available deductions and exclusions.

These 11 strategies can help you legally minimize your US tax liability, take advantage of foreign tax credits, and make the most of available deductions and exclusions.

Americans who earn above a certain threshold — even those living abroad — must file a federal tax return each year. While Americans living within the US must file their return by April 15th, US expats have a June 15 tax deadline. Fortunately, those who need extra time can request an extension. While the time […]